This week's episode, "Gluten Free Ebola" had some continuity with last week's. Is serialization the show's new formula? Here's how I see it: Episode two of South Park's 18th season jabbed at the gluten-free diet craze that has been going on in the country. No bread, except if it's wheat!! It also showed the boys recovering from their Redskins start-up program, in which they lost all their friends. Their solution is to throw a huge party with Lorde performing; and supplying it with endless snacks. Unfortunately the gluten-free 'craze' takes a turn for the worst. At a USDA meeting in South Park it is determined that gluten is so bad for you it will make your dick fly off. No seriously, your dick will fly off and bounce around the room at lightning speeds. The discovery sends the town into a panic and they burn all their gluten filled products, or everything except ice cream, which is "healthy". How will the boys throw their awesome party without gluten-filled delicacies?? There are a lot of laugh-out-loud moments here including the flying of the dicks. The town panic is also great as the adults rummage through their fridges and drawers to incinerate their food supply. And Papa Johns becomes a quarantine center. Randy Marsh has a lot of moments here. Mr. Garrison's character seems to be diminishing from that interesting, sexually confused whack job to just a grumpy old man. Although the gluten topic is not as recent and controversial as the NFL it is still satisfying that someone finally called out those self-righteous and self-proclaimed "healthy" dieters, who gloat as if their way is the only way. (Mr. Mackey humorously parodies these people.) In the end the message is clear– after a Aunt Jemima hallucination of course– eat all the junk food you want, life is like a party.
Speaking of parties the boy's struggle to throw theirs is coated with more Scott Malkinson abuse (the kid with a lisp and diabetes). Stan and Wendy are experiencing relationship difficulties. The boys market their party on the radio, and Eric screams to Kyle on the phone a few times. Not much going on here taking into consideration the incorporation of the food pyramid to solve everything.
In all this was a funny episode. I'm still feeling more distant from the characters as the parody and satire seems to be forcing them into specific roles. I'm also noticing a lot of new animation in terms of body positioning, which makes the show look even more state-of-the-art. There is also some new and noisy background music that sometimes trump the voices of the characters. This new age feel is complimented by the reference to Lorde (and we'll never be Royals Ro-yals). The decision to continue with last week's outcome is both exciting and concerning for me. Is this more a sign that there is a lack of creative development in the writing room? Or is this a whole new method to South Park? It seems to be the latter since the storyline that Butters burned the school's gym down was left untouched. We'll have to wait until next week. If there's one thing I can hope for it is more parody/satirical punchlines rather than story lines.
– jc
Speaking of parties the boy's struggle to throw theirs is coated with more Scott Malkinson abuse (the kid with a lisp and diabetes). Stan and Wendy are experiencing relationship difficulties. The boys market their party on the radio, and Eric screams to Kyle on the phone a few times. Not much going on here taking into consideration the incorporation of the food pyramid to solve everything.
In all this was a funny episode. I'm still feeling more distant from the characters as the parody and satire seems to be forcing them into specific roles. I'm also noticing a lot of new animation in terms of body positioning, which makes the show look even more state-of-the-art. There is also some new and noisy background music that sometimes trump the voices of the characters. This new age feel is complimented by the reference to Lorde (and we'll never be Royals Ro-yals). The decision to continue with last week's outcome is both exciting and concerning for me. Is this more a sign that there is a lack of creative development in the writing room? Or is this a whole new method to South Park? It seems to be the latter since the storyline that Butters burned the school's gym down was left untouched. We'll have to wait until next week. If there's one thing I can hope for it is more parody/satirical punchlines rather than story lines.
– jc